The Kentucky Wildcats hosted the South Carolina Gamecocks in a weekend series winning the
first game of the day 7-3.
The starting lineup for the Cats was Tyler Bell, Hudson Brown, Kyuss Gargett, Carson Hansen,
Devin Burkes, Dylan Koontz, Cole Hage, Luke Lawrence and Ryan Schwartz. Nate Harris would
be the starting pitcher on the mound for the Cats.
The BatCats jumped ahead early in the bottom of the first. Bell singled and advanced to second
and Hansen launched one out to left field that brought both himself and Bell across home plate
for an early 2-0 Kentucky lead.
South Caroline answered in the top of the second, opening the frame with a double. Another
double followed which brought home two runners to tie up the game, 2-2.
After two scoreless innings, Kentucky broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Schwartz ripped a
double out to right field, and Bell reached base on an error. Shwartz kept moving and scored on
that play, putting Kentucky back ahead, 3-2.
The Cats kept the momentum rolling in the bottom of the sixth, with Gargett and Hansen each
hitting a single and then stealing bases to put them into prime scoring positions. Burkes followed
with a hit that brought Gargett across home plate and extended the Cats’ lead, 4-2.
The bottom of the seventh opened with Hage being hit by a pitch to reach first. Lawrence
followed with a bunt that allowed Hage to move to second. Cameron grounded out allowing
Hage to keep moving and get on third. Bell then crushed a double to bring Hage home and push
the Cats further in the lead, 5-2.
At the top of the eighth, Jackson Nove came out of the bullpen to relieve Harris. South Carolina
quickly loaded up the bases and managed to get a run, trying to chip away at the deficit.
In the bottom of the eighth, Burkes drew a walk and then stole second. Koontz was hit by a
pitch, joining Burkes on base. Both runners stole bases to move them into scoring positions,
and Hage took advantage of this hitting Burkes home and reaching base himself.
South Carolina made a pitching change in hopes of stopping anymore Wildcat runs, but
Cameron laid down a bunt that brought Koontz home, sealing a 7-3 win for the Cats.
The second game is expected to begin in a little less than an hour.
Written by: Ainsley Saurers
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